William Fisher has been the general manager of the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel for just four months, moving over from the Hilton London Metropole, one of Europe’s largest conference and leisure hotels, where he led the refurbishment of the hotel’s public spaces.
It's a significant move for Fisher, as he’s being charged with moving the iconic Rome hotel into a major renovation of its guest rooms with an expected completion date for end of 2027 or early 2028. He’s led major project like this in the past, particularly for Hilton in China.
The planned Rome Cavalieri room renovation project, which is underway, follows the complete overhaul of La Pergola in 2024; that famed rooftop restaurant has a three-star rating by the Michelin Guide, in recognition of the talents of Chef Heinz Beck.
Fisher replaces Alessandro Maurizio Cabella, who left last year to become the senior director of operations for Hilton’s MEA Luxury Hotels division.
We caught up with Fisher last week to get the scoop on what it’s like head up a hotel that’s such a significant part of Rome’s luxury landscape.
World of Luxury: Please tell us what it is like to be heading up this iconic hotel. What does it mean to your career, and to the community it’s in?
William Fisher: “It is truly an honor to be at the helm of Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, a property that has stood as a crowning testament to the Eternal City’s culture for more than 60 years. Having been within the luxury hospitality sphere, as well as the Hilton family for most of my career across Europe and Asia, this property is truly a signature marvel. My recent appointment as General Manager represents an important milestone in my career, as well as the opportunity to put my decades-long global luxury experience to use.
Beyond my own personal journey, the Rome Cavalieri holds a special place within the overall Roman community. Not only does the hotel represent an iconic address for international travelers, but it also serves as a proud ambassador of true Roman culture and hospitality, and an important pillar of the local community given our active involvement in fostering local initiatives.”
World of Luxury: What have you learned in your past roles at the hotel that you will bring to this new role as general manager?
William Fisher: “Having had the pleasure of overseeing other pivotal hotel openings and restylings in other parts of the world, I look forward to bringing this hands-on expertise as Rome Cavalieri embarks on its own significant transformation over the next few years. I have certainly learned that projects of this magnitude require a delicate balance of operational precision and collaborative leadership, and I aim to reinforce this approach in my new role.
Furthermore, and especially with a storied hotel like Rome Cavalieri, I believe it is important to reinforce service excellence in luxury hospitality, while continuing to foster team empowerment and authenticity in staff-to-guest interactions.
World of Luxury: Are there any consumer luxury trends that have influenced the hotel and its offerings?
William Fisher: More and more, we are seeing luxury travelers come to expect more from the world’s leading hotels, beyond simply providing them with an opulent stay. They crave personalization, cultural connection, and privileged access to the destinations they are visiting, and they expect luxury hotels to open doors for them to exclusive experiences.
When I started in my role at Rome Cavalieri, I was delighted to see how much the hotel is ahead of the curve in this regard, having curated a wide selection of experiences that provide guests with exclusive and, in many cases, unparalleled ways to embrace our destination and its culture.
World of Luxury: Do you have a favorite area of the hotel you like to visit for a quiet moment?
William Fisher: Well, it is quite hard to choose just one as I’ve come to discover the hotel has so many wonderful settings to enjoy a quiet moment, like our outdoor pool terrace or our private jogging path within our secluded parkland, or even the art gallery wing just off the lobby.
If I had to choose, I would say the Imperial Club Lounge, which offers our suite renters and Imperial floor guests an exclusive retreat where they can relax after a day out exploring Rome, enjoy some refreshments throughout the day, or an aperitivo in the evening with breathtaking views of Rome’s city center below.
World of Luxury: What are you enjoying about Rome the most following your stint in London?
William Fisher: Rome is a fascinating city with little surprises around every corner — not only in its extraordinary artistic and historical heritage, but also in its authentic culinary culture and local traditions that continue to shape everyday life. I am constantly impressed by the sense of connection reflected in the food and wine and the sensory feast that I find in local markets and along the city streets. The city is brimming with unexpected wonders, and I find Romans are always delighted to help me discover their city.